Kip looked up at the girl reading her journal entry. Her hair was what kept his eye. Mocha colored with a scarlet glow. Her dark one-shoulder shirt revealed her creamy ivory skin. Her hand and voice shook slightly. The corner of his mouth twitched upward. The professor dismissed the class and she rushed to pack her bag. Her name...What was it?

"Yo, Kip!"

Jeremy nearly plowed Kip to the ground as he slid on the wet hallway to him. Kip stole a look at the goddess before Jeremy draped an arm around his shoulders.

"How was the rest of your summer man?"

Kip shrugged, "You know, same old same old. Working at a store helps pay tuition."

Then Kip smelled the alcohol.

"What the hell, man? It's only noon."

"Yeah, on the dullest day of the entire year. Aren't you tired of professors rambling about the syllabus?"

Kip opened his mouth and then closed it. Then said, "This class wasn't too bad. We got to write something. At least that was different." He paused, "Hey, I know this summer was rough but you really shouldn't let it get out of hand."

Jeremy tilted his head back and whined, "This is our senior year, Kip! We're allowed to misbehave!"

Kip sighed and shook his head, "Come on, let's get some food in you."

"Whatever you say, mom."

Kip's chest tightened as he looked at his best friend. If only he can take the pain away.  

*What do you think happened last summer?*